What's the best way to get from the Malpensa airport (Milan) to Como (city)? Is it worth the shuttle bus to the Milan train station and then the train to Como? Como looks closer to the airport than Milan is! Are there shuttles - or what is the cab fare - to Como?

The website for the Italian train system is all goofed up right now, so perhaps some of you can help with the following additional questions:

What are the correct train stations for a Milan to La Spezia trip? Milan - Pisa - La Spezia?

What are the correct train stations to request for a La Spezia to Siena trip?

Finally, Siena to Milan?


Thank you so much.

Hi...I made the mistake once of taking the bus from Malpensa to Como.....there is a direct train!!! from the airport right into the Como train station.
When you get your bags and step out into the terminal, there is a sign directing you to the train...or just ask someone where the direct train to Como is, if you don't see the sign (I didn't see it).
Otherwise, the bus is awful...takes an hour, and stops in Milan, then you have to change buses to get to Como...argh! Plus there is no air conditioning and if it's springtime (this past year was a killer for the heat!), those buses are downright claustrophobic.
Hope this helps!
Rachelle

Hello Coyote Blue,

The English page of the Trenitalia website often is moody, in my experience, but the Italian page (accessed by clicking on the Italian flag) works for me the vast majority of the time.

Even if one doesn't understand Italian, the information they want to know is fairly intuitive (departure station, arrival station, date, time).

One does not need to know the intermediate stations for which to ask. If one plugs in the departure point and the destination point, the website itself indicates where, if at all, one will need to change trains.

Judy, this is the best explanation I have read about how to use the Trenitalia website in Italian. You continue to amaze!

Yes I too have found the English Trenitalia page too difficult to use (kept freezing up on me) so I tried the Italian page and had much more success!

We rented a car and drove from the airport to Como. It is an easy drive. We needed a car in Como as our villa was in Torno. You do not need a car if you are staying in Como but one is helpful if you are staying around the lake.

I am planning a trip to Italy-landing at Malpensa airport on May 29 and have thought about renting a car. Can you tell me exactly how to get to Bellagio by car. I am somewhat afraid about driving in Italy and have considered taking the train. I will be visiting Venice and Florence. I first thought I would spend 2 nights in Lake Como and then one night in Lake Garda if I had a car but now am not sure. I think skipping lake Garda and taking a short day trip to Lake Laguana would be nice if I dedice to skip renting a car and travel by train while in Italy. Any suggestions?

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Originally posted by chil147:

I am planning a trip to Italy-landing at Malpensa airport on May 29 and have thought about renting a car. Can you tell me exactly how to get to Bellagio by car.

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Here is a mappy.com detailed route.

If you are nervous about driving, think train from Malpensa airport straight to Como (the city). To move around in the Lake Como area, you really don't need a car. Use the excellent boat service: inexpensive, on time, flexible, a real local treasure. If you wish, I can recommend an excellent local guide, based in Como, who has his own car and speaks fluent English.

Trains will then take you from Como, via Milan, to Venice or Florence, and between the two, comfortably and without headaches.

>>there is a direct train!!! from the airport right into the Como train station<<

I am not aware of a train that goes from Malpensa directly to Como. Could you give me more specifics?

I think that you can take the Malpensa Express to Saronno and then change to a train to Como....is there another option that goes straight through?

Like Jim, eagerly awaiting clarification about a direct train from MXP airport to Como, as I've not been aware of one. Are we sure it exists??

Sorry to all, chil147, Jim and Sally. I don't know where I had picked this one up. I should have gone to sleep earlier. My humble apologies.

Started it all over again and, indeed, there is no simple answer. I did some more checking this morning and it seems the non-car rental option leaves the Malpensa Express to Saronno, as Jim pointed out (the schedule is available from here), changing then to train from Saronno to Como Nord Lago. There are one or two trains each hour.

I have asked this morning a tour guide in Como if he has any better ideas, other then himself offering to pick up chil147 from Malpensa.

By the way, chi147, would you be interested in such arrangement? I could give you the information how to contact the guide directly.

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Originally posted by Coyote Blue:
What are the correct train stations for a Milan to La Spezia trip? Milan - Pisa - La Spezia?
What are the correct train stations to request for a La Spezia to Siena trip?

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You should ask for trains from Milano Centrale to La Spezia Centrale. There are three trains that go directly from Milano to Spezia, one at 14:10, another at 16:10, and a third at 18:10. The trip takes some three hours. The trip takes three hours approx. Other trains will require a change, usually in Genov, but if you enter your query for Milano Centrale-La Spezia Centrale a timetable complete with train change details will come up.

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Finally, Siena to Milan?

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In this case, probably the best option is to travel from Siena to Florence by bus. The buses should stop right by Santa Maria Novella station in Florence, whence hourly Eurostar trains depart to Milano. These are reservation only, so get your tickets a couple of days in advance and make sure you allow a one or two hours between your trsin of bus arrival and the train to Milano departure.

A couple of years ago, I took the bus from Malpensa to Como. Nonstop and pleasant. It drops you at the quay where boats leave often to Bellagio and other ports as well. With boat trips so pleasurable I can't imagine bothering with a car.

Is there a bus from Como to Malpensa that does not go to Milan? I thought there was and Dale's post suggests that this is the case. Does anyone know for sure?

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Originally posted by Callie B.:
Is there a bus from Como to Malpensa that does not go to Milan?

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Yes.

Menaggio e Como Stazione Corriere (Piazza Cavour)
7.25* - 9.40 - 11.05* - 15.30 - 18.00
€ 11,20
Info: 031 247247

This is the the bus schedule chart for buses departing from Malpensa:

http://tinyurl.com/25new

Peter

Indeed, it turns out there are buses from MXP (Malpensa) to Como; Davide Guerrera, the driver-guide from Como came through with this information:

Here is the schedule.

Note this schedule is valid until March 31, 2004. There will probaly be an update for April onward.

chil147, you have under this URL all the details you need: time, cost, where to find the bus, etc. It looks as I will have to retract the earlier retraction.

Ciao Tutti -

This post is generating a lot of great information as you all pursue the details of a direct/easy way to get from Malpensa to Como. I really appreciate it. The train connection through Saronno is clear and the direct bus sound good as well. Can you find out where the departure point for the bus is at Malpensa - which terminal or some other landmark, so one can find the right bus! Thanx.

HI....do yourself a favor and take the direct train to Malpensa...through Saranno. If the weather is a bit warm, the buses are not air conditioned and it is stifling on board!
The direct train is way more pleasant...and relaxing.
I have done both and let me tell you, the train is the way to go!
Rachelle